Costa de Almeria 6 – 12 April 2023 Issue 1970

KINDNESS EXPLOITED

RESIDENTS in Albox are warning others about a father and son who allegedly swindled hundreds of euros from local businesses and individuals, taking advantage of the community’s kindness.

The pair arrived in the town claiming to be divorcees in need of a fresh start and established relationships with sympathetic locals who offered assistance. However, it later emerged that the men borrowed money from kind ­ hearted members of the community without any intention of paying it back.

Sums of money borrowed are said to range from approximately €200 to €800, while the pair also reportedly have outstanding bills with local bars. At least three denuncias (complaints) have been made to the police, one of which the Euro Weekly News has had sight of.

Investigations by local residents

AGE SUPPORT ALMANZORA

made an exciting announcement on Monday, April 3, as they revealed the winner of their raffle.

Joan Naish won a fabulous hamper full of Easter goodies, but in a heartwarming turn of events, she decided to donate it back to the charity for them to use as a prize in their raffle at their upcoming Easter fun day on Saturday, April 8.

The charity’s Easter extravaganza promises to be a fantas­

suggest that these individuals may have a history of similar fraudulent activities in other locations including Tenerife and Turre. Local resident, John Hillen explained “We are doing this to warn others and to put a stop to their activities if we can.”

While the allegations against the pair have yet to be proven, those affected are warning others to be cautious and have informed the appropriate authorities. The pair allegedly drove a Nissan Niro car with the registration plate PN70 NGZ.

Hoppy ending

tic day of fun and entertainment for all ages. The festivities will include an egg hunt starting at 3pm, live music from 4pm­9pm, and themed arts and crafts. The event will take place at the Community Centre in Arboleas and will add to the €48 already raised by Monday’s raffle.

Age Support Almanzora is a

charity that provides essential services for elderly people and expatriates living in the Almeria region. Joan’s prize donation is a touching gesture.

Residents are being warned to keep an eye out for two alleged scammers who are apparently operating in the Albox region.

Photo credit: Maura Hillen (via email)

Hamper winner Joan Naish kindly donated her prize back again.

Photo credit: Age Support Almanzora (via Messenger)

Mojacar new bus station

MOJACAR will connect its historic centre and the coast with its new bus station. This new infrastructure will have the capacity for four buses simultaneously and a small building. The Development delegate Carmen Belén López Zapata and the mayor of Mojacar Rosa María Cano visited the new facilities and highlighted the commitment the Andalucian government is showing the area of Mojacar with these new facilities.

The bus station, along with the four bus ports, will have bathroom facilities and a waiting area. This building will be on the ground floor for easier access and there will be a large canopy of modern design to shade the waiting areas at the bus ports. There will also be a taxi rank and an urban bus stop nearby.

Mojacar Town Hall will be in charge of the maintenance and management of the bus station. They hope this new bus station will im­

ARCHEOLOGICAL fans will be delighted to hear the Museum Collection and the archaeological site ‘Barrio Andalusi’ has now been integrated at the Meson Gitano.

This is a space destined to become “a heritage reference and a new cultural and tourist resource for the city,” confirmed the mayor, Maria del Mar Vazquez. The museum covers more than 900 square

prove the quality of life of the neighbours and visitors to the area and that it will help relieve the traffic congestion especially when the population increases from 7,000 to 40,000 in the high season.

Heritage legacy

metres, consisting of 17 houses dated between the 11th and 13th century.

A total of 118 pieces are on permanent display, all as part of a selection of archaeological materials found during the excavation work at the site.

With free access, these new facilities will be open to the

public from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10.00am until 8.00pm and on Sundays, from 10.00am until 3.00pm throughout winter

In summer, visitors are welcomed Tuesday to Saturday, from 10.00am until 9.00pm and on Sundays, from 10.00am until 3.00pm.

BUS STATION: Will connect historic centre with the coast.

Photo credit: Shutterstock Den Rozhnovsky

Bye Bye Berja

ACCORDING to the data published by the National Statistics Institute INE in the CERA (Electoral Census of Spaniards residing abroad), Spaniards habitually residing abroad or who have transferred their residence abroad over 18 years of age totalled 957 people from Berja.

An honour

THE President of the Regional Government, Juanma Moreno, confirmed the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Almeria will be named after Princess Leonor. He said “it was an honour for Almeria to bear the name of the future Queen of Spain.”

Perfect path

ALMERIA is set to create a cycle path with the most beautiful views of the capital. The route from La Almadraba de Monteleva will cross a large part of the Cabo de Gata coastline creating a ride with views of the natural park and the Mediterranean Sea.

Vera bonos

VERA wants you to buy in its shops and eat in its bars. In collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Almeria, Vera has launched the fourth Bonos al Consumo campaign offering €100,000 in discounts.

Adra backbone

LA RAMBLA DE LAS

CRUCES, the backbone of Adra, will improve its accessibility. “The main street that connects Adra from north to south is going to benefit from a substantial change with two projects and an investment of more than €1.2 million,” said the mayor.

UD Almeria

A FOOTBALL camp has been organised by Union Deportive Almeria over the Easter period for children between the ages of six and 14. A midfielder for the Red and Whites turned up at the campus to meet the children and chat to them.

Easter message from the EWN

AS Easter approaches, the Euro Weekly News would like to wish all of our readers a happy and joyous holiday. Easter is a time of deep significance for many residents in Spain, as it represents the triumph of life over death and hope over despair. At the Euro Weekly News, we are proud to be a part of the vibrant and

VERA Town Hall has been the lucky beneficiary of several grants to renovate public lighting in the municipality amounting to more than €3 million.

diverse community in Spain. We believe that it is important to not only report on the news, but to also engage with the communities that we serve.

As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded of the values that are important to us as a community. We are reminded of the importance of compassion, forgiveness,

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Park plans

and hope, and we are grateful for the opportunities to celebrate with our loved ones and neighbours.

We wish you all a happy Easter. May this holiday bring you peace, joy, and renewed hope for the future, and may we continue to come together as a community in the spirit of love and unity.

LED-filled Vera

The funds come under the umbrella of aid for unique projects of local entities that favour the transition to a low­carbon economy.

The works consist of a renovation of the

public lighting installations in the streets of the municipality, through the replacement of existing luminaires with new LED technology luminaires, in order to improve the energy efficiency of these outdoor public lighting installations.

Raising the barre

FOLLOWING their recent triumph in Níjar, Mojacar Municipal Rhythmic Gymnastics team is continuing on their lucky streak. The team secured another six medals in the first phase of the Costa de Almeria Cup held in Vícar on Wednesday, March 29.

This excellent result placed the team in an enviable position in the league and has given the team high hopes for the final at the Rafael Florido sports complex in Almeria. Their podium positions include a gold medal, three silver, and two bronze, across a range of categories with competitors as young as six collecting medals.

With 19 medals already under their belt, the Mojacar Municipal Rhythmic Gymnastics School has made an impressive start to the competition season. In their second year of competition, the team is already measuring up against the best from Almeria and other Andalucia provinces, an impressive achievement given the school’s recent establishment.

Team coach, María del Mar Montoya, has been working with the team for two years and will continue to hold training sessions after the competition season ends on Sunday, May 14, ensuring they don’t forget what they’ve learned over the summer.

The new luminaires are more efficient and have lower power, with built­in drivers or electronic equipment to regulate the lighting.

The lighting panels have been adapted to bring them into line with current regulations and columns and arms in poor condition have been replaced. Remote management systems have also been installed.

Bridging the gap

HUERCAL ­ OVERA Town Hall has now inaugurated the San Isidro bridge in the municipality.

The bridge fulfils a historical demand of the residents of Huercal ­ Overa, putting an end to a black spot on the roads of the municipality.

At the same time, the bridge has created a pedestrian cycle lane linking the Atalaya district and the hamlets with San Isidro and the town centre and beautifies this access.

This is one of the most important works in the municipality which, together with others in which the Diputacion has participated such as the new access to the Hospital de La Inmaculada, the restoration of the Railway Station and the construction of the ‘Hipodromo roundabout’, are making Huercal ­ Overa a town in constant growth.

The president of the

Provincial Council, Javier A Garcia, confirmed: “The growth of Huercal­Overa is linked to the province of Almeria.

“Our duty is to continue working on the needs demanded by the residents and to help this municipality, with its almost 30 districts and 300 kilometres of extension, to continue to grow.”

FOR those who like to take a stroll where better than a pretty park full of trees and life?

Almeria has now been given the go­ahead to restore El Boticario Park in the city. The project budget of more than €3 million.

The mayor of Almeria, Maria del Mar Vazquez, said: “This space is going to become an authentic natural museum, for environmental education and a recreational area that all people of Almeria will be able to access and enjoy.”

The mayor added: “This is a very ambitious project that will revive one of the city’s green lungs which, unfortunately, went from being a magnificent green space for the enjoyment of the people of Almeria to one of the biggest icons of the neglect of the previous socialist governments of the Junta de Andalucia.”

The design of the park is based on themed vegetation parterres, which allow the visitor to make a gradation of the main landscapes and Almeria ecosystems.

The Euro Weekly News

Young gymnasts from Mojacar Municipal Gymnastics School have racked up nearly 20 medals this season.

Photo credit: Mojácar Informa

MOJACAR Pádel School recently hosted an incredible morning of competition and sportsmanship! On Wednesday, March 29, young athletes in the Alevín and Cadet categories battled it out in an exciting showdown.

Thanks to the Department of Sports of the Hon. Mojacar Town Hall and the Nexa Group, children in the town have the opportunity to learn and practise this incredible sport from a very young age. The racket sport has rules similar to tennis and squash

Pádel power

and is played on a court surrounded by walls, making it easy to pick up for beginners but challenging enough to

AUTHORITIES in Almeria reached a historic agreement with national rail company Railway Infrastructure Administrator­High Speed (AdifAV) as well as the regional government of Andalucia to create more train connections in the city.

The deal was announced on Tuesday, April 4, with the city committing to providing €34.2 million to fund the project by 2026. The project has been almost 25 years in the making, but has repeatedly stalled due to issues with buildings

keep more experienced players engaged.

Competition was fierce, but the young athletes showed

off their impressive skills and sportsmanship. The event was not only marked by intense matches but also by exemplary behaviour and a positive attitude, earning the kids a perfect behaviour score of 10 out of 10 from coaches.

The organisers of the event were impressed with the participants’ enthusiasm and dedication, and they would like to extend their gratitude to all who took part. Organisers added their excitement to see what the future holds for these young athletes.

All aboard Tee-rific development

and viability for railway plans. The project includes the development of two kilometres of underground railway lines and the removal of a level crossing in the El Puche neighbourhood. The project will affect nine different neighbourhoods in the city, opening up a wealth of opportunities for local residents.

GOLFERS in Almeria are in for a treat thanks to a new development at the city’s Alborán Golf Club. Authorities announced that the course will soon have a brand new ‘Casa Club’ that will not only enhance the services offered at the sports complex, but also elevate the area’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.

The news was announced by Almeria’s mayor, María del Mar Vázquez, at the ninth Copa Alborán Golf tournament on Sunday, April 2, which drew 110 participants to the course. The mayor revealed that the much­anticipated Casa Club project, which has been requested by golf course members, will be a reality by 2024.

The Casa Club will be a 100 metre squared development with a range of state­of­the­art facilities including a reception, social lounge, shop, changing rooms, trophy room and a terrace with a restaurant. The restaurant and social lounge will be located near the 18th hole, while the rooftop will house solar panels.

415

Brits spend more than £415 million on Easter eggs.

The future looks bright for the children at Mojacar Pádel School thanks to their skills and exemplary values of sportsmanship.

Photo credit: Mojácar Pádel School

Albox charity event

AN afternoon introduction to Tiritiri Matangi.

If you have an interest in wildlife or the beautiful island of Tiritiri Matangi in New Zealand, then keep Thursday, May 4, free in your diary.

Talented author and founder of the Written Word Group, Berni Albrighton, is holding a charity event in aid of the Animal Protection Society in Albox (APSA).

Berni will be introducing the stunning island of Tiritiri Matangi with some quirky tales about its beauty, together with fascinating anecdotes about its inhabitants.

With tickets costing only €2.50, head to Charlotte’s Bar, in Albox, from 1.45pm until 3.45pm on May 4.

Each entry ticket will be raffled off for a signed copy of Berni’s book and there will also be a raffle to raise funds for APSA.

ASPA is a registered non­profit charity founded in 2004 by a group of expatriates who were concerned about the plight of animals in the Almanzora Valley area. For more information head to the website: info@apsa.org.es

The Written Word Group welcome new members at their regular meetings in Albox. For more information please email: bal brighton@gmail.com

Running the extra mile

ATHLETES in Almer’a got stuck into a nationwide solidarity non­stop relay race on Saturday, April 1. The relay race sees participants take part in 50 different regions, covering a total distance of more than 7,000 kilometres while raising awareness for the InvDup(15) syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which affects children.

The Almeria leg of the competition began at 8.30am from the regional border with

Granada at Mojaquera, with participants completing a challenging route before crossing the finish line at El Cable Inglés in Almeria around 7pm. The event featured teams composed of National and Local Police and members of the military.

Covering a distance of around 100 kilometres, dedicated participants put their running skills to the test crossing gruelling terrain including in the Tabernas Desert Natu­

IN March, the drop in unemployment was evident in all Andalucian provinces.

However, despite the favourable result, Almeria is the province where unemployment has fallen the least: only 311 people have ceased to be unemployed.

Nevertheless, registered unemployment stood at 54,879 people, the lowest figure for March since 2008.

This figure is far behind that of Sevilla, which is in the lead with 4,053 fewer unemployed, followed by Malaga, with 3,685; Cadiz, with 2,317; Huelva, with 1,897; Granada, with 1,655; Cordoba, with 964; and Jaen, with 402.

In year ­ on ­ year terms, Almeria is once

ral Park, Rioja, and passed through several towns in the region.

Almeria councillor for Sports, Juanjo Segura, met the representatives for Almeria at Parque de las Almadrabillas after completing their leg of the race, alongside representatives for the 15Q Syndrome Foundation.

The national event aims to raise awareness and funds for the Inv/Dup 15Q Syndrome Foundation.

March figures

again the province with the least variation, with 4,497 ( ­ 7.57 per cent) fewer unemployed than in March of the previous year, in a list that is once again led by Sevilla (­17,706), followed by Cadiz (­15,527), Malaga (14,651), Cordoba (­6,670), Jaen (­6,602), Granada (­6,261) and Huelva (­5,565).

Andalucia led the way in March in the fall in unemployment in Spain, with 15,284 fewer unemployed registered in the offices of the public employment services, a figure driven by the drop in unemployment in the services sector due to hiring for Easter.

A coastal view of Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand.

Image: KenWongYL

Party in the Park

EXCITEMENT is in the year as the Vera and District Lions put the finishing touches on their preparations for their event of the year. The Lions’ Party in the Park festival is set to return on Sunday, April 30.

El Palmeral Park in Vera will once again be transformed into a wonderland of musical entertainment and family fun, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever

before. With a lineup of incredibly talented local acts, including Skyfall, Seldom Sober, and more, guests will be treated to an unforgettable day of musical magic.

This year’s Party in the Park festival will also feature a second stage, featuring acoustic musical performances that will take your breath away. And for those who love a bit of retail therapy, there will be art and craft stalls, as well as tea

rooms, bars, and food stalls serving up delicious treats to refresh guests throughout the day.

Gates will open at 12pm for a 12.30pm start, and live entertainment will keep on rocking until 6.30pm. Tickets are available for €10, and can be purchased from Jackie Miles Kirkby via WhatsApp: 642 829 269, or from Zoe Rylett: 639 036 051 as well as from the Lions’ shop in Turre.

Guests jive to tunes at the last edition of the Vera Lions’ Party in the Park festival.

Photo credit: Next Stop Almeria / Vera and District Lions

Semana Santa celebrations

HOLY WEEK celebrations in Nijar got off to an excellent start on Palm Sunday, on Sunday, April 2 for the town’s biggest edition yet. Authorities have planned a bumper programme of events in each of the town’s nine areas, which will last until Easter Sunday, April 9

Celebrations began on Friday, March 31, with a public reading in the town centre. From there, Holy Week officially began on Palm Sunday with processions planned in various locations in the town throughout the week.

The mayor of Nijar, Esperanza Pérez Felices, is thrilled about the growth of the celebrations. She explained “The Semana Santa festivities are an essential part of our heritage and a major attraction

for visitors from around the world,” she added, “We are grateful for the hard work of the brotherhoods, parishes, and cultural associations that have helped keep these traditions alive”.

In Nijar at the heart of the celebrations, there will be

THE mayor of Adra, Manuel Cortes, has confirmed the contract for the construction of the Blue Trail has now been awarded.

The Blue Trail will connect the Playa del Censo beach with the Lance de la Virgen beach in a safe and sustainable way.

Although the path runs along a wide stretch of more than four kilometres along the Abderita coastline, the most important actions will be carried out along the route between the neighbourhoods of La Caracola and Lance de la Virgen.

In the first section, between La Caracola and the descent towards La Rana beach, a pedestrian itinerary will be built to the south consist­

processions and ceremonies until Easter Sunday, including the Procession of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno on Thursday, April 6, the Santísima Virgen de los Dolores and the Procesión del Santo Entierro on Friday, April 7.

Blue Trail

ing of a walkway of textured concrete slabs with a wooden handrail that will be supported by a prefabricated cantilevered cantilever.

The footbridge will be almost two metres wide and have a total length of 415 metres.

The mayor confirmed: “This is a magnificent project to highlight the enormous potential of our coast and, at the same time, serve as a tourist attraction.

“The planned walkway will be a magnificent balcony overlooking the sea.”

Hitting high notes

AN award­winning opera show is set to charm an audience in Almeria’s Maestro Padilla Auditorium with a one night only performance on Saturday, April 15. ‘The Opera Locos’ opera show promises an unforgettable evening of hearty laughs and incredible music.

This musical theatre production has been created by Yllana, the winner of the ‘Best Musical Show’ at the Max Awards in 2019, and will feature a peculiar troupe of five eccentric opera singers who will perform a repertoire of songs by the greatest composers of the genre, fused with other musical styles.

Throughout the performance, the hidden passions and desires of each character

will be revealed, leading to unpredictable and hilarious consequences. Yllana, a company known for their creativity and sense of comedy, has created a unique and innovative way to experience opera, making it accessible and entertaining for audiences of all ages.

Founded in 1991, Yllana has

produced 37 theatrical shows that have been performed over 16,000 times in 48 countries, and have been seen by audiences numbering nearly six million.

Tickets for ‘The Opera Locos’ are available at the box office and online: https://almeri aculturaentradas.es/

Nijar celebrated Palm Sunday with a chain of processions, beginning the town’s ‘biggest and best ever’ programme of events for Holy Week.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Níjar

‘The Opera Locos’ musical theatre show promises a unique blend of comedy and opera music.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almería

YEEHAW! The Almeria Western Film Festival ( AWFF ) is coming back to town in October and is ready to round up the best in western and neo­western cinema!

Organisers announced that filmmakers are invited to submit their films for the festival on Wednesday, March 29.

From Wednesday, October 11, the AWFF will see western film buffs head to the ultimate cowboy movie sets at Western Leone, Fort Bravo and Mini Hollywood as Tabernas and the surrounding areas are transformed into a western wonderland.

Whether you’re a seasoned director, or a student ready to show off your skills, the AWFF wants to see your skills. This is your chance to ride into the sunset and showcase your film on the

Saddle up

big screen. Filmmakers are asked to submit their films online: https://filmmakers. festhome.com/festival/awff by Sunday, June 4.

The festival’s mission is to put Tabernas on the map as a destination for international film production, invit­

ing western film lovers from all over for a slice of the action.

The competition is tipped to be hotter than a pistol on a summer’s day as the best of the best in the western filmmaking world turn up for a showdown!

Rust to riches

ALMERIA hit a milestone in connectivity between the city and its port with the opening of the Cable Inglés, an old mineral loading dock, on Tuesday, April 4. The restoration of this piece of industrial architecture is the first of many projects in the Puerto Ciudad initiative which aims to revitalise the city’s relationship with its port.

The restoration of the Cable Inglés was part of the second phase of the port’s transformation, which was partially financed by the Ministry of Transport who contributed to the project’s total budget which reached a total of €2.7 million.

At the reopening ceremony on Tuesday, the mayor of Almeria, María del Mar Vázquez, praised the restoration of the dock as a significant achievement for the city, helping to enrich its urban and architectural heritage. She also em­

phasised how this project would help to reestablish the city’s relationship with its maritime area, providing the city with new opportunities.

The opening of the restored dock marks a new chapter in Almeria’s history, one that promises to enhance the city’s cultural appeal and boost tourism opportunities, while also serving as a symbol of the city’s modernity.

Alba Necrópolis of Almeria

EXCAVATIONS are underway at three of the tombs in the megalithic necrópolos in Los Milanes in the Almeria region. Important discoveries have been made that can help archaeologists understand the people that lived in this region 5,000 years ago. This important site is registered in the General Catalog of Andalucian Historical Heritage as BIC (Asset of Cultural Interest). The Culture delegate stated ‘These are Tholoi-type collective tombs with a corridor and a chamber covered with a false dome, belonging to the Chalcolithic period.’ The excavations have already revealed surprising results. They have uncovered a funeral ritual that they had been unaware of in the southeast of Spain until now: cremation. Cremated remains have been uncovered in these tomes in urns. The GEA research group is now focusing its investigations on this area. They plan to use Carbon 14 to date the new findings more precisely. The delegate for Tourism, Culture, and Sport José Angel Vélez along with the mayor of Alba Antonio Fernández recently visited the archaeological site to offer their support.

The Almeria Western Film Festival is a chance for producers to lasso their filmmaking dreams!

Photo credit: AWFF (via email)

The reopening ceremony.

Photo credit: Shutterstock LuFee The Bear

GET ready for the musical event of the year with the ‘Stars in Miraflores Eyes’ talent competition, held at Miraflores at Los Gallardos Leisure in Almeria.

Join the fun on May 20, June 24, and July 22 for three nights of amazing performances, and the grand finale on August 19, where the top performers will battle it out for the ultimate prize!

Tickets are priced at just €13 and include a fantastic BBQ meal that will have your taste buds dancing. Plus, for every ticket sold, €5 will be donated to cancer charity MACS, so not only will you have a great time, but you’ll also be supporting a great cause.

If you think you have what it takes to be the next star of ‘Stars in Miraflores Eyes’, contact Mike on (+34) 711 016 592 to sign up and showcase your talent.

Whether you sing, dance, tell jokes or play an instrument, we want to see your best performance!

To book for any of the

Be a star

heats or the grand finale visit the website: www.campinglosgallar dos.com or call (+34) 950 528 324.

MACS is a friendly group formed of cancer patients, survivors, supporters and volunteers offering support to all individuals and families of all nationalities affected by cancer in the Almeria region of Spain.

From the moment you’re diagnosed, through your treatment plan and be ­

yond. We are there to help and support you and your loved ones by offering a range of services, emotional support and monthly meetings in the company of other people who understand what you are going through.

For more information you can reach MACS the helpline at (+34) 634 656 555 or call the general enquiry line on (+34) 634 328 334 between the hours of 11.00am and 4.00pm.

BATTLE IT OUT: For the ultimate prize in the talent competition.

Image: Romolo Tavani / Shutterstock.com

Helicopter rescues hikers €150,000 compensation

THE 112 services of the Generalitat Valenciana confirmed just after 3pm on Sunday, April 2, that a forest fire had been declared near the Valencian town of Barx.

Due to the proximity of the fire to forested areas that could affect the local population, Situation 1 of the PEIF was established. Three units were initially deployed by the Generalitat, but within 30 minutes, 112 had to redouble its efforts in the La Safor region, tripling the dispatched resources.

In addition to dealing with extinguishing the fire,

the Generalitat personnel had to rescue seven people by helicopter. These included six hikers who were walking at the top of Monduver at the time the forest fire was declared. A fire prevention officer was also

among those evacuated.

By 4pm, the magnitude of the blaze was such that the column of smoke was visible from the city of Valencia. As a result, 112 announced a new increase in the resources being sent to tackle the outbreak.

Another forest fire was declared on the same day near the Costa Blanca town of Altea, although it was quickly dealt with and extinguished. Firefighting personnel were also deployed to deal with a fire that broke out close to the Sierra Calderona, in Estivella.

THE Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) ordered the Community of Madrid on Monday, April 3, to pay €150,000 in compensation to a patient who was infected with HIV during a CT scan at the Gregorio Marañon hospital in Madrid.

An appeal from the patient ­ which had initially requested €400,000 in compensation ­ was partially upheld, with the court condemning the administration for ‘causing this disease’.

She underwent a contrast CT scan in September 2018, prior to surgery for ‘ovarian carcinoma, peritoneal carcinomatosis and tumour ascites’. When kidney problems were detected in December 2018, the infection was confirmed.

At the time, the Community of Madrid did not assume any error and decided not to compensate the patient, so she went to court, as reported by a news

source.

The Madrid High Court ruled that: “the existence of two positive cases of HIV on the date on which the CT scan was performed on the plaintiff and the acknowledgement by the administration of failures in work procedures (which determined the outbreak of hepatitis C infection), lead them to consider plausible the hypothesis that the plaintiff was infected as a result of this test.”

Young hacker jailed

JOSE LUIS CALAMA , the judge of Audiencia Nacional, on Monday, April 3, sent Jose Luis Huertas, known as ‘Alcasec’, to pro­

visional prison. The young hacker was suspected of hacking into the Neutral Point last October where information from all the

courts in Spain is kept. He allegedly accessed the bank details of 575,186 taxpayers.

Huertas was arrested by the police last weekend and appeared in court on Monday. According to legal sources, he was accused of an alleged continuous crime of discovery and disclosure of secrets.

The alleged acts were carried out on October 18 and 20 when the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) detected a cyber­attack through the passwords of two officials of the administration of Justice. They had subsequently been used as a springboard to access the databases of the Tax Agency.

In the prison order, the head of examining magistrate’s court explained that the data were transferred to two servers hosted in Lithuania. ‘Alcasec’ sold the personal data of multiple affected people through the uSms platform paid through cryptocurrencies.

Huertas’ arrest was first announced by a news source, and was made by the General Information Police, although ‘Alcasec’ had already been on the radar of officers for other cyberattacks.

Credit: Google maps - Myriam RM Credit: Garnet

The hikers were on the top of Monduver during the blaze.

The patient underwent a CT scan.

Ship sinks off Cabo Mayor

TRAGEDY struck on Monday, April 3, when the ‘Vilaboa Uno’ sank off the coast of Cabo Mayor in Santander. Two crew members are confirmed to have died while another is reported to be still missing. Another sailor is seriously injured from the original crew of 10. Seven members of the crew ­ of Spanish, Peruvian, Senegalese and Ghanaian nationality ­ were rescued alive from the Atlantic. One of them was seriously injured, having suffered severe hypothermia, but was discharged from the hospital.Those who died from hypothermia were one from Santander and the other from Ghana, while the missing person is from Peru, as reported by a news source.‘Vilaboa Uno’ sank in waters with a depth of 120 metres, which made rescue work extremely difficult. The bodies of the two deceased and the rescued fishermen were trans­

REGISTERED unemployment

fell in March in Spain in all the autonomous communities except in Madrid, where it rose by 1,013 unemployed. The greatest decreases were registered in Andalucia (15,284 unemployed), Canarias (­5,775) and Castilla y Leon (­4,446 unemployed).

The number of unemployed people registered in the offices of public employ­

ferred to the fishing port of Santander.

Miguel Angel Revilla, the president of Cantabria, explained at a press conference that the missing crew member could still be inside the boat due to the fishing boat sinking “very quickly”.

According to a local news source, the ‘Vilaboa Uno’ fishing boat was built in 2000. Its crew had gone fishing for mackerel from the port of Santander.

Job figures

ment services fell by 48,755 people in March in relation to February (­1.67 per cent) driven by the decrease in jobless people in the service sector due to Easter week hiring, according to data published on Tuesday April 4 by the Ministry of Labor. This is the largest percentage decline in registered unemployment in

the month of March since 2002.

At the end of March, the total number of unemployed was 2,862,260 ­ its lowest figure this month since 2008, according to Trabajo.

Yolanda Diaz´s department said that this drop in jobless in March is “especially positive in an international context of uncertainty,” especially “in the financial sphere.”

Fishing vessel sank off the coast.

Renfe free passes on sale New nursing home reforms

THE more than 7,000 deaths registered in residential centres for the elderly in the Community of Madrid during the pandemic has led to reforms which were made public on Friday March 31, according to a news source.

In specific cases, problems with catering, with cleaning of the buildings or with attention to the inmates may have contributed to this situation.

The new regulation will affect both public management centres as well as private ones that arrange places with the regional Administration. All of them must follow the new guidelines based on reducing the number of elderly per centre, and seeking more rigorous and individualised care.

The three main reforms are that centres for the elderly that have more than 50 places, whether new or already in operation, must organise at least 33 per cent of

the space in living units that do not exceed 25 guests. This allows more attention to be given to residents in more intimate and reduced spaces.

Also, the ratio of direct care workers will be 0.45, that is, 45 for every 100 older persons in those with more than 50 jobs. And, the residences that are built after 2024 may not have more than 150 beds and, at least, 50 per cent of the guests must have a single room.

RENFE users can now obtain the free travel cards for Cercanias, Rodalies, and Media Distancia. They will be available for travel between May 1 and August 31, 2023.

After the government approved the extension of the free travel passes during 2023 for recurrent passengers, Renfe is now offering users specific multi­journey tickets valid for each four­month period of the year.

Season tickets can be purchased via the Renfe Cercanias app. In the case of Media

Distancia, season tickets are obtainable via www.renfe. com and the usual sales channels. For Avant rail services, the 50 per cent discount on season tickets is maintained.

The Cercanias app allows the purchase of Cercanias and Rodalies recurrent season tickets by generating a QR code that can be downloaded to a mobile phone and subse

First female president?

YOLANDA DIAZ, Spain’s popular Labour Minister, announced on Sunday April 2 that she wants to be the first female president of Spain, at the official launch of her election bid leading the new political movement, ‘Sumar’.

In July 2022 Díaz launched the new political movement called Sumar (meaning ‘to add’) which she hopes will eventually include all parties to the left of Sánchez’s socialists.

In a crowded sports centre in the heart of Madrid with more than 3,000 people inside and another 2,000 who saw her speech through external screens, Diaz presented her project, defined as a

new ‘bill of rights’ and a democratic, economic and social ‘con tract’ for the Spain of the ‘next decade’.

“Today I am going to take a step forward, I want to be the first president of Spain. Because it is the time of women, because we women want to be the protagonists of history,” the leader of Sumar announced in a speech where she said she was “tired of guardianships.”

quently used at station access control.

To purchase the season ticket, although it is free, a deposit of €10 is required for Cercanias and Rodalies, and €20 for each conventional Media Distancia service.

Payment by credit card will allow the deposit to be automatically refunded, once the condition of having made 16 journeys during the four months has been confirmed.

Largely unknown three years ago, 51­year­old Díaz moved under the political spotlight in January 2020 when she entered the government as a representative of Podemos. Diaz presented her project.

Destroyed by blaze

AN intense fire engulfed a famous restaurant in Spain, completely destroying the building on Thursday, March 30.

According to the Catalan fire services, Bombers de la Generalitat, over 11 fire brigades were rushed to the site of the restaurant Fusta Mar, in the Arc de Barà campsite, which is located in the municipality of Roda de Berà (Tarragona province).

The fire was reported a few minutes after 7.00am, and despite several attempts by the fire department, nothing could be done to save the structure, which collapsed.

Firemen working at the scene said that the fire grew fast as the structure was entirely made of wood.

Fusta Mar was not only a famous gastronomic space but also held concerts and social events.

This restaurant had previously also been featured on a major Catalan show on TV3 called ‘Joc de Cartes’ and was frequently visited by people not only living at the campsite, but also from other parts of Spain.

Authorities have now said that investigations will be carried out by Mossos d’Esquadra, to check if there was any kind of criminal connection which resulted in the fire.

Photo credit shutterstock

New chapter Girl injured after bus accident Rare dragon

A 13-YEAR-OLD girl was transferred to the Virgen de la Arrixaca hospital after being hit by the bus on the Gran Vía Escultor Francisco Salzillo , in the municipality of Murcia .

The event occurred around 7.58pm on Tuesday March 28, when the ‘1­1­2’ Emergency Coordination Centre in the Region of Murcia received a number of calls reporting the accident.

A Local Police patrol, a Mobile Emergency Unit of the Emergency and Emergency Management ‘061’, travelled to the scene. The girl was treated “in situ” and then taken by ambulance to hospital where she remained for treatment.

Betty Henderson

PEDRO SÁNCHEZ is making waves in China! The Spanish president arrived in the global superpower on Wednesday, March 29 where he participated in the opening of the Boao Economic Forum, also known as the ‘Chinese Davos’.

During his trip, he had the opportunity to meet with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, as well as other key national figures including the Chinese Prime Minister, the President of the National People’s Assembly, and Chinese tour operators who work in the Spanish tourism market.

Sánchez talked about a variety of topics during his visit, including the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the economic ties between Spain and China.

However, the Spanish government carefully

avoided several sensitive topics including bans on technology companies Huawei and TikTok that several other countries have imposed due to concerns about potential espionage activities.

Despite controversies over technology and China’s international policy, Sánchez has remained op­

timistic about the future of economic cooperation between Spain and China. During his visit, he emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between the countries.

Sánchez visited the country as a national representative rather than an EU delegate.

A SPANISH zoo successfully bred five baby Komodo dragons for the first time in 10 years. The species, known as the largest surviving land lizard in the world, is now considered endangered, which makes their hatch in the institute ‘very important’.

“There are approximately 1,500 specimens left in the wild which is why the species maintenance and reproduction in animal institutions is so important,” said Milagros Robledo, Head of Herpetology Department at Bioparc Zoo in Fuengirola, Spain.

Scientists took 12 eggs after they were laid, five eggs were selected for incubation. It took eight months for the lizards to hatch.

“Komodo dragons are difficult to breed for a number of reasons,” said Jesus Recuero, Technical Director and veterinarian.

Taking a shot

Betty Henderson

GLOBAL drinks giant Coca­Cola is shaking up the drinks market yet again with its latest venture into the world of alcoholic drinks. The brand announced the development of a mixed drink, combining its famous cola drink with Jack Daniel’s whiskey on Friday, March 31.

The iconic brand made its first foray into the Spanish market with the launch of Topo Chico, a refreshing, fermented beverage with an alcoholic twist that didn’t quite take off. However, the brand has not been put off, and is set to launch its Jack Daniels collaboration in the coming weeks.

The exciting collaboration was made possible by an agreement last year. The drink will come in a regular 330 millilitre can with both brands’ logos and an alcohol content of 7 per cent.

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

The Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez was welcomed to China on Wednesday, March 27 for a long-awaited summit between the two countries.

Photo credit: Pedro Sánchez (via Instagram)

Private jets soar

SPAIN has long been popular with the superrich and the country’s status as an exclusive destination appears to be here to stay. A report released on Thursday, March 30 found that Spain registered the fourth­highest number of private jet flights in the EU in 2022.

The report found that there were a total of 45,633 flights last year. In 2022, around 8 per cent of all private jet flights came from Spain, according to an analysis by Greenpeace.

The report showed that domestic private jet travel also increased by 74 per cent in just one year, from 26,239 in 2021 to 45,633 in 2022. The spike in private jet travel could be due to the pandemic, but it also raises concerns about emissions.

The increase in private

jet flights has led to a rise in carbon dioxide emissions. This trend is

alarming, considering that private jets are known to be the most environmentally ­ damaging form of transportation.

Palma Airport topped the list of the number of private jet flights in Spain, followed by Ibiza Airport. Both airports ranked ninth and 10th in Europe, respectively, by the number of flights in 2022.

Spain recorded the fourth highest volume of private jet flights in the EU.

Photo credit: Laurent ERRERA from L'Union, France / Wikimedia Commons

431,090 tons of olive oil produced in Spain in first 3 months 20222023 season.

Russian players return to Wimbledon 60 pairs of glasses

A MAN in the UK mistakenly ordered 60 pairs of reading glasses after believing he ordered 10 or 12.

Chris Arnold posted an image of his dad on social media with the stacks of boxes of glasses on the sofa next to him.

His post has “gone viral” on Twitter and accumulated over two million views in the past few days.

Tom Arnold, from

Perranporth, Cornwall, thought he had ordered 10 or 12 pairs of reading glasses but was surprised to see the amount that he received.

Speaking on BBC's Anita Rani sits in, Tom was asked how he managed to buy so many pairs, and he replied: “I meant to buy 10.

“My wife and I often lose our reading glasses, so we buy a few and just leave them around

THE racing world is mourning the death of an equine icon after £4.5 million wonderhorse I’m Thunderstuck was put down following a routine operation.

The passing of the five­year­old multiple Group 1­winning gelding left co­trainer Michael Kent Jr ‘in tears all night’.

I’m Thunderstruck was reported to have injured himself after waking up from an op and putting weight on his knee.

That pressure caused multiple fractures and,

the house and I accidentally clicked on 12 sets of five, so that was 60.”

Asked if he was wearing his glasses when putting the order in online, Tom replied: “Well, I thought I did, but trying to remember back, I might not have had them on.”

Tom said he’s having a good laugh about it and that he plans to keep 10 and return the other 50.

IN April 2022 Wimbledon banned players from Russia and Belarus following the Ukraine invasion but has made the decision to allow players from these countries to compete in this summer’s tournament.

All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt said this decision was being taken reluctantly and under pressure from the rest of the sport which has chosen to stay away from bans.

In a statement according to a news source: “We continue to condemn totally Russia’s illegal invasion and our wholehearted support remains with the people of Ukraine.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of

Equine icon

tragically, meant vets had little choice but to humanely end the horse’s life.

It was described as a ‘simple procedure that went horribly wrong’. I’m Thunderstruck won four of his 19 races and brought in more than £4.5 million in earnings.

consideration for those who will be impacted.

“It is our view that, considering all factors, these are the most appropriate arrangements for the Championships for this year.

“If circumstances change materially between now and the commencement of the Championships, we will consider and respond accordingly.”

The move comes under the heavy threat of further fines and sanctions from the two tours, which was described as ‘a very disappointing reaction’ by the All England Club.

The British game found itself isolated within the tennis fraternity over the decision to bar them from competing a year ago.

His biggest victory was the Group 1 Makybe Stakes at Flemington racecourse in Australia last September, with a prize worth £323,709. Speaking of the devastating loss, Kent Jr said: “My fiancee Ally and I have been in tears all night.

“We always said we’d love to have him back at our farm when he was finished and we’ll still keep that promise.

“If the owners are OK, we’ll find a nice spot to bury him.”

33.1ºc is the highest ever temperature recorded in Malaga in April.

AMSTERDAM is putting its foot down and telling British men between the ages of 18 to 35 to “stay away” from the city’s notorious sex and drug scene and Red Light District as part of an attempt to clean up the city’s reputation.

The Dutch City’s council launched an online advertisement campaign on

Cleaning up city Putting an end to greenwashing

Wednesday, March 29 which highlights the consequences for criminal behaviour in a video which aims to raise awareness about the risks of excessive

drug and alcohol use. The online adverts will be triggered when internet users in the UK search for phrases including ‘pub crawl Amsterdam’, ‘stag party’, and ‘cheap hotel’.

The move is believed to be part of the city’s attempt to clean up its raunchy reputation and manage overtourism, which includes a proposed move of the city’s infamous Red Light District.

The Dutch capital has

long been a popular destination for British tourists seeking to indulge in the city’s infamous pleasures. However, locals have grown tired of drunken Brits urinating in public, vomiting in canals, and engaging in drunken fights.

While some have criticised the targeted campaign for being discriminatory, the city says it wants to be more liveable for residents.

THE European Commission is proposing common criteria against greenwashing and misleading environmental claims. Under the proposal, consumers will have more clarity, stronger reassurance that when something is sold as green, it actually is green, and better quality information to choose environment­friendly products and services.

Businesses will also benefit, as those that make a genuine effort to improve the environmental sustainability of their products will be more easily recognised and rewarded by

80

consumers and able to boost their sales ­ rather than face unfair competition.

This way, the proposal will help establish a level playing field when it comes to information about the environmental performance of products. A Commission study from 2020 highlighted that 53.3 per cent of examined environmental claims in the EU were found to be vague, misleading or unfounded and 40 per cent were unsubstantiated.

The absence of common rules for companies making voluntary green claims leads to ‘greenwashing’ and creates an uneven playing field in the EU’s market, to the disadvantage of genuinely sustainable companies.

When companies choose to make a ‘green claim’ about their products or services, they will have to respect minimum norms on how they substantiate these claims and how they communicate them.

Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District is causing trouble for the council due to antisocial behaviour.

Photo credit: Ana sol lara / Wikimedia Commons

More than 80 million Easter eggs are sold in the UK each year.

Strengthening ties

Betty Henderson

KING CHARLES III arrived in Germany on Wednesday, March 29, ahead of a highly anticipated visit to one of the UK’s closest partners in Europe. The visit was also the monarch’s first official state visit as King due to a cancellation of a scheduled visit to France due to disruption from strikes and protests.

During the three­day tour, the King delivered a speech partially in German at a lavish state banquet on his first night. During the speech, King Charles also paid tribute to Germany’s “extraordinary hospitality” towards Ukrainian refugees, who have arrived in the country after being displaced due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. He also emphasised

the countries’ shared commitment to protecting democratic values and the fight against climate change, a topic he is passionate about.

Guests at the event, including the country’s former leader, Angela Merkel, enjoyed the speech which also had a sprinkling of jokes

throughout. The King was joined by his wife, the Queen Consort, Camilla. British officials are hoping that the King’s visit will smooth over relations between the two nations following the UK’s 2016 decision to leave the European Union.

Fire-starter behind bars

A FRENCH court sentenced a Rwandan man to four years in prison for starting the 2020 fire in Nantes Cathedral. Emmanuel Abayisenga was judged to be guilty on Thursday, March 30 for starting the blaze which severely damaged the Gothic cathedral.

Despite finding that Abayisenga was not mentally sound at the time of the fire, a judge ruled that he will face prison time for his actions, and will also be banned from the region for five years.

The man was a volunteer at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Cathedral in the city, and prosecutors alleged that he set fire to the building knowingly due to “huge anger and a feeling of revenge linked to his own administrative situation.”

The fire was contained, but unfortunately, the church's famous 17th century organ was destroyed, despite surviving both the French Revolution and World War II. Additionally, priceless artifacts and paintings were lost in the

flames.

Abayisenga is also facing legal action for allegedly killing a priest in western France in 2021. Reports al­

lege that he had unsuccessfully sought asylum in France multiple times and received a deportation order in 2019.

Meat the end

LAB ­ GROWN meat has been a suggestion for many years now, but Italian officials say that meat grown in laboratories and other synthetic foods will not be allowed in their country. Members of the Italian parliament proposed a bill on Wednesday, March 29 to prohibit synthetic foods being produced or sold.

The proposed legislation would impose fines of up to €60,000 for violations of the ban. The move by the right­wing Italian government has been designed to protect the country’s rich food heritage as well as and promote consumer health.

Francesco Lollobrigida, head of the rebranded

Ministry for Agriculture and Food ‘Sovereignty’, spoke of the importance of Italy’s culinary traditions while advocating for the bill to pass. The country’s farmers’ lobby also supports the bill, while some animal welfare groups have criticised the decision.

In other parts of the world, synthetic food is becoming closer. Last year, Singapore gave regulatory approval for lab ­ grown chicken meat to be used in nuggets, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared cell­cultured chicken for human consumption. However, the European Food Safety Authority has not yet received any applications.

King Charles III smiles alongside wife Queen Consort Camilla and German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife.

Photo credit: The Royal Family (via Facebook)

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Levelled off

DENMARK’S cannabis sales fell in 2022 after five years of growth, health authority figures revealed. Sales grew from approximately 30.8 million Danish kroner (€4.12 million) in 2018 to 64.3 million kroner (€8.63 million) in 2021, before falling to 62.5 million kroner (€8.4 million) last year.

THE NETHERLANDS

IT items

DUTCH companies spent €2.5 billion on telecommunications and computer services from India last year, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This accounted for more than 10 per cent of total spending in this sector and made India the country’s fourth-largest supplier after the US, the UK and Ireland.

BELGIUM

In a trap

BELGIUM’S Westmalle beer made by Trappist monks is under threat as all authentic Trappist products must be made inside an abbey and supervised by monks and nuns. Westmalle’s secular director Philippe Van Assche admitted that he doubted whether people would seek to become monks in 10 or 20 years’ time.

GERMANY

Early settlers

ARCHAEOLOGISTS found a large settlement from the early Neolithic era near DobelnGartitz (Saxony) covering an area of more than 10 hectares. The site, which contained dozens of houses, the largest of which was 30 metres long and eight metres wide, was clearly occupied for several hundred years.

FRANCE

Waste not

FRANCE’S president Emmanuel Macron wants to introduce a new pricing system for water that would encourage responsible and penalise waste. The plan is included in national efforts to cut down on water consumption, improve water management and combat the effects of climate change.

NORWAY

Good egg

NORWAY seeks an exemption to European rules on shelf-life for eggs, citing its good salmonella record. A recent directive stipulated 28 days between the date that eggs are laid and consumed, but Norway, which belongs to the European Economic Area (EEA), wants to continue its 35-day system.

FINLAND

Nickel project

BLUEJAY MINING began a short follow-up programme in Enonkoski (Finland) as the London-based company in partnership with Rio Tinto seek nickel-bearing ore. Bluejay explained that their objective is to test the geological model, following “encouraging” results from explorations earlier this year.

IRELAND

Welcome home

BALLINA (Eire) is anxious to greet President Joe Biden when he visits Ireland this month. The small market town, known for salmon fishing, considers Biden a native son as his great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt was born there before emigrating to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to escape the 1840’s famine.

ITALY

Hats off!

LEGENDARY Italian brand Borsalino is back in business again after it was driven into bankruptcy in 2017. Philippe Camperio, a French-Italian financier has put it back on its feet and revived sales of the fedoras worn by Humphrey Bogart and Michael Jackson while retaining traditional manufacturing techniques.

PORTUGAL

Gas cash

PORTUGAL intends to auction the rights to sell hydrogen for injection into the national gas grid. Galp Energia will buy the hydrogen mixed with natural gas from producers and resell it to meet demand, a system aimed at boosting investment in production by giving suppliers a guaranteed buyer.

UKRAINE

Staying put

MONKS refused to leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, Ukraine’s most revered Orthodox site which is the property of the government, after the deadline to vacate the complex expired. They belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has long been accused of links to Russia.

SWEDEN

False alarm

POWDER enclosed in letters sent to 18 county councils in Sweden was harmless, police said. According to Swedish media reports, employees were evacuated in some places and at least two taken to hospital after the letters arrived although analysis later showed that the powder was not dangerous.

STAT OF WEEK €5.5 billion

will be paid out in dividends to BBVA, CaixaBank and Inditex shareholders in April and May, following record years and profits for both banks and the fashion retail giant.

BUSINESS EXTRA Charged up FINANCE

Booted out

BOOTS could be sold or floated by late 2023 as its US parent company is pressured into breaking up the global pharmacy giant. Owned by the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, its investors and board members want to speed up plans to refocus the business on the US.

Bank ranks

IBERCAJA and Caixabank have higher liquidity ratios (LCRs) than other Spanish banks, management consultants Alvarez & Marsal found. Spain’s banks all exceed EU requirements but Ibercaja’s 306 per cent ratio and Caixabank’s 284.2 per cent mean they have reserves for three months and 2.8 months respectively.

Meters matter

ENERGY companies in the UK used warrants to install 94,000 prepayment meters in 2022, with Scottish Power and British Gas ordering most. The government has now agreed with suppliers to halt forced installations amid concerns that rules to protect vulnerable households were not complied with.

Lucky middle

SPANISH salaries grew in 2022 in all categories, although rises were below the inflation rate of more than 8 per cent. Middle management posts benefited most with an average increase of 6 per cent, compared with 3.4 per cent for executives and 3.71 per cent for employees.

Factory closes

MORE than 100 workers lost their jobs after Kettle Interiors, a Corby (Northamptonshire) furniture business went into administration. The administrator cited “economic challenges” including increasing freight costs for the familyrun firm which sold furniture under different brand names to UK and European retailers.

Next step for Cath Kidston

Linda Hall

NEXT has bought the Cath Kidston brand name for £8.5 million (€9.6 million) after the British retailer fell into administration for the second time in two years.

Cath Kidston, which once had 60 stores in the UK as well as worldwide franchise outlets, was bought by restructuring experts Hilco in July 2020 but put on the market again earlier this year.

Approximately 125 jobs could be lost as PricewaterhouseCoopers’ administrators prepare to close Cath Kidston stores in London, Ashford (Kent), Cheshire Oaks and York once their stock has been sold off.

The Cath Kidston website is also be­

ing licensed back to the administrators for 12 weeks.

Acquiring the vintage­inspired name is Next’s latest step in adding to its brand portfolio, which includes distribution rights to the US chains Gap and Victoria’s Secret in the UK.

Joules and the online furnishings specialists Made.com were also brought out of administration by Next

as the company helps ailing brands maintain a presence in the UK. Next is also using some of these well­known names to fill spaces in high street stores while reaching to a wider audience.

Next anticipates increasing prices more slowly over the next 12 months after better­than­expected annual profits. The retailer saw annual pre­tax profit increase by 5.7 per cent to £870.4 million (€990.1 million) in January, which was higher than the forecast £860 million (€978.2m). Full­price sales rose by 6.9 per cent year­on­year. The group, which raised prices to counteract higher costs, said price inflation was likely to be more benign than previously predicted.

Fishing for investment

ABANCA which owns 97 per cent of Nueva Pescanova,

synonymous with frozen fish in Spain, is reportedly looking for a business partner or a potential sale.

Based in Redondela (Pontevedra) Nueva Pescanova operates in 17 countries on five continents, selling its products in more than 80 countries.

Formerly known as Pescanova, which still appears on retail products, the original company collapsed and was refunded in 2015.

Kind gesture

HSBC is the first UK bank to delay closing a town’s only remaining branch until alternative arrangements are in place.

Banks agreed last year to fund hubs where all branches were closed and the cash machine network Link ­ which connects practically all the country’s ATMs ­ decided that a hub was needed to ensure continued access to cash.

Launching hubs has been slow, taking a year on average owing to difficulties in finding sites. This prompted HSBC to announce that it would suspend closures in Oakham (Rutland) Ripley (Derbyshire) and Colwyn Bay (Conwy) until cash deposit services were established.

Canadian seafood combine Cooke Inc was said to be in negotiations to buy a majority stake in the company in late February. It now has competition from US company Red Chamber

Group, which entered negotiations with Abanca in midMarch according to the Spanish digital newspaper, El Confidencial.

The deadline for paying a €150 million debt to Sabadell, Caixabank and Santander loomed at the same time although Nueva Pescanova announced beforehand that this would be paid “with total normality and full financial independence.”

Nueva Pescanova had total sales of €1.08 billion in the financial year that ended in

Essex freeport

DP WORLD, which owns P&O Ferries, will participate in the Thames Freeport in Essex.

Included in Rishi Sunak’s ports scheme, it will be co­run by DP World, car manufacturer Ford and Forth Ports, with a £25 million (€28.4 million) allocation in government funding. This will go to local authorities, as the government tries to attract another £4.6 billion (€5.2 billion) in public and private investment.

The port is expected to generate more than 21,000 direct and indirect jobs.

DP World dismissed 800 P&O employees without giving them notice in March 2022, replacing them with foreign agency workers paid less than the minimum wage.

The government said at the time that the employees’ treatment was “wholly unacceptable” and two months later cancelled a P&O Ferries contract in response to the sackings.

LOWER energy prices in the UK now mean that the cost of ultra ­ rapid charging for an electric vehicle costs less per mile than filling up with petrol.

The Electric Vehicle Recharge Report published by the Automobile Association found that drivers could save 8p (24 cents) per kilowatt by charging during off ­ peak hours, but emphasised that savings were made only when plugging in at the right time.

Electric vehicle charging was ‘brilliant value for money’ compared to filling up with petrol and diesel, the report said, but warned that different operators had different off ­ peak times, with some available only after 8pm.

March 2022, doubling its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) to €80 million compared with its €39.5 million results in 2020.

Despite these buoyant figures, the La Voz de Galicia predicted that the next fiscal year was likely to be “well below” the 2021 result.

Meanwhile, referring to negotiations with Cooke Inc and Red Chamber Group, Nueva Pescanova’s CEO Ignacio Gonzalez said Nueva Pescanova was not for sale.

Up goes Ale-Hop

GIFT shop chain Ale ­ Hop had a 2022 turnover of €170 million, 70 per cent more than in 2021.

Instantly recognisable because of the trademark black ­ andwhite cow outside the shops, Ale ­ Hop was boosted by increased post­pandemic sales but also expansion plans resulting in 48 new shops during the last financial year.

The company could meet the cost of the 2022 openings as a result of its policy of zero debt and reinvesting profits, said AleHop’s director general, Dario Grimalt.

The company, which now has more than 280 shops in Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Mexico, hopes to increase this to 300 by the end of this year.

Selling brand

RECKITT BENCKISER is selling its Spanish detergents division.

Headquartered in Britain, the €50 billion multinational which owns Durex condoms, Strepsils throat lozenges and Air Wick amongst other brands, will divest itself of Colon detergent and Flor fabric conditioner, two household names in Spain. It acquired both in the 1990s from the Catalan company Camp Hermanos, after fighting off Procter & Gamble in a bidding war, paying more than six billion pesetas (approximately €36 million) at the time.

Now, 30 years later, Reckitt Benckiser expects to sell for around €200 million.

Cutting salary

FLORENTINO PEREZ, president of construction, concessions and services company ACS, has forgone €1.5 million of his salary over the last two years. Owing to the economic slowdown during the pandemic he waived 30 per cent of the variable compensation added to his basic salary at the end of 2021, reducing this from €3.4 to €2.4 million owing to “exceptional circumstances”.

The Real Madrid president waived another €500,000 in 2022 after explaining that despite ACS’s good results, the group had not yet returned to pre­pandemic levels.

QUIRKY DESIGNS: Next has acquired the Cath Kidston brand.

IGNACIO GONZALEZ: CEO of Nueva Pescanova insists that the company is not for sale.

Photo credit: Cath Kidston

Photo credit: nuevapescanova.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

BUSINESS EXTRA

Asda compromise

ASDA is prepared to sell 13 petrol stations with adjoining grocery stores to allay competition concerns over its £600 million (€680.5 million) acquisition of the Co ­ op petrol forecourts. The response came in the wake of a Competitions and Market Authority’s warning made two weeks ago.

Pricey billets

A NEW luxury hotel, JW Marriott, has opened on Madrid’s Golden Mile in front of Four Seasons and the Canalejas Shopping Centre. “Expensive hotels are here to stay,” said AC Hotels president Antonio Catalan during the inauguration.

“Tourism has more than enough clients but insufficient prices.”

Vauxhall plans

LUTON BOROUGH COUNCIL has approved plans to turn the site of the former Vauxhall engineering and styling centre into warehouses.

The manufacturer announced the end of Luton car production with the loss of 2,000 jobs in December 2000. The company, now owned by General Motors, blamed the decision on “rapidly changing European market conditions” and “over­capacity.”

Development company Prologis UK explained to a re­

Mango joins organisation

SPAIN’S Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) announced that fashion chain Mango has joined the organisation as an associate company.

The move follows the recent incorporation of Spain’s Retail Textile Association (ARTE), to which Mango and other leading clothing chains already belong.

Mango is the second big textile firm to join the CEOE in its own right after Zara owner, Inditex.

Toni Ruiz, Mango’s CEO explained that the incorporation would enable the firm both to put across its business vision and give greater visibility to the one the country’s outstanding brands.

Royal Mail impasse

cent council committee meeting they could boost the local economy with 450 jobs by creating 34,250 square metres of flexible industrial and logistics floorspace at the 18­acre Griffin House site in Osborne Road.

The hybrid plans will first require a favourable response from the Environment Agency.

A restored river channel will be running through the site with a wildflower meadow on one side and pedestrian and cycle access path on the other.

“We have worked hard to open up and celebrate the River Lea as a key feature by providing a linear park through the centre of the site,” Caroline Musker, UK head of planning at Prologis, said.

“This represents a £30 million (€34 million) investment in construction,” she revealed.

AS long ­ running talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) threatened to collapse, another strike looked inevitable.

The postal service, already losing more than a daily £1 million (€1.13 million), is projected to lose more than £350 million (€397.5 million) during the financial year that ends in April.

The board of the 507­yearold company has met in London, trying to find a solution, but warned that further walkouts could eventually see it put into administration.

The board regards the bombshell move to declare Royal Mail insolvent as a last resort, but the drastic measure has already been raised with the CWU.

Hopes of a deal have gradually faded, as obstacles not only include disagreements over pay but also changes to working practices, which Royal Mail maintains are interdependent.

LUTON: Council gives permission to develop former Vauxhall plant.

Photo credit: Flickr/Doyle of London

Euro

EUR/GBP: Unchanged at £0.88

EUR/USD: Down from $1.06 to $1.09

The euro witnessed some dramatic swings over the past month as a crisis in Europe’s banking sector infused volatility into the single currency.

At the start of March the euro was supported by European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate expectations, in response to stronger-than-expected inflation releases from France, Spain and Germany. EUR exchange rates then nosedived in mid-March after a 30% plunge in shares at Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse triggered a wider selloff across the European banking sector.

However, the euro was quick to bounce back. The ECB’s decision to press ahead with a 50bps rate hike helped the single currency to find its feet, before EUR surge after UBS’s acquisition of Credit Suisse stabilised European bank shares.

Going forward, EUR investors are

BUSINESS EXTRA

English fizz

TENTERDEN (Kent) winemaker Chapel Down had record sales of “traditional method” sparkling wine last year, selling 790,000 bottles, up from 522,000 in 2021. Revenue rose 53 per cent to £9.6 million (€10.9 million), offsetting a 45 per cent drop in still wine sales owing to a poor harvest.

Share shareout

FOLLOWING its 2022 results, Naturgy, formerly Gas Natural Fenos, is paying a dividend of €1.2 per share, of which 70 cents was paid out in August and November with the rest due this April. Naturgy will maintain the same dividend level next year, company president Francisco Reynes announced.

Currency outlook: Euro rocked by European banking crisis, Fluctuating Fed bets infuse volatility in US dollar

likely to keep a close eye on the European banking sector. Assuming no more hiccups emerge, the euro may be able to resume its positive trajectory.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Unchanged at €1.12

GBP/USD: Up from $1.20 to $1.23

The pound was initially buoyed as we entered March. Sterling sentiment strengthened as stronger-thanexpected UK PMIs boosted Bank of England (BoE) rate hike expectations.

This upside was reinforced by the announcement of a UK-EU deal to resolve the dispute over the controversial Northern Ireland protocol.

However, these gains were also immediately reversed following comments from BoE Governor Andrew Bailey, in which he suggested UK interest rates may have already peaked. Fears of potential policy divergence between the BoE and Federal Reserve then plunged the GBP/USD exchange to a threemonth low. Before a surprisingly

IN

strong rebound in UK GDP at the start of 2023 helped Sterling to rebound. After fluctuating amid the banking sector jitters, the pound then firmed following the BoE’s March policy meeting after the bank proved more hawkish than expected.

Looking ahead, if UK inflation indicators remain elevated it may boost expectations for additional BoE rate hikes and help to underpin the pound in the coming month.

US Dollar USD/GBP: Down from $0.82 to

$0.81

USD/EUR: Down from €0.93 to €0.91

The past month has been a rollercoaster ride for the US dollar. This started with a softening of the ‘greenback’ amid a bullish market mood in early March.

USD exchange rates then raced to multi-month highs after Fed Chair Jerome Powell stunned markets with a particularly hawkish testimony before Congress. Catapulting USD exchange rates higher as investors be-

Biggest contract ever

IBERDROLA formalised one of its largest-ever contracts on Tuesday March 28.

The Spanish multinational’s subsidiary Scottish Power, one of the UK’s largest green energy developers, formalised a £1.3 billion (€1.48 billion) contract with Siemens Gamesa for 95 wind turbines for the East Anglia Three project.

The offshore windfarm, the world’s second-biggest, will be constructed in the southern North Sea, 69 kilometres off Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

Iberdrola president Ignacio Galan visited 10 Downing Street where he met the PM Rishi Sunak and Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security.

“The scale and ambition of this investment will support the UK’s commitment to net zero and energy security,” Galan said. “The East Anglia Three offshore windfarm will bring homegrown green electricity to the grid for 1.3 million homes. And, as part of the East Anglia Hub projects, it will deliver billions of pounds in investment and support thousands of jobs

BIG PROJECT: Iberdrola subsidiary Scottish Power will build world’s second-largest windfarm.

in the East of England and across the UK.

“I am delighted that Scottish Power and Iberdrola are investing in the UK, creating thou-

sands of jobs and crucially helping millions of families keep their homes warm with cheaper, renewable energy,” the Prime Minister said.

Calviño answers back

SPARRING continues between Spain and multinational Ferrovial, which is shifting its headquarters to the Netherlands. Economic Affairs minister Nadia Calviño again insisted that there was nothing to prevent a company from listing on both the Spanish and US stock exchanges, as Ferrovial maintains.

“The National Securities Commission (CNMV) and Stock Exchanges and Markets (BME) analysed this in depth, going to the United States to speak to their American counterparts who identified no differences between Spain and any other country that justified Ferrovial’s reasons for relocating to the Netherlands,” Calviño said.

gan to price in a 50bps hike in March.

However, the US dollar’s gain evaporated almost immediately as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank reversed these rate hike bets.

The days leading up to the Fed’s March rate decision saw the ‘greenback’ fluctuate wildly as USD investors repeatedly repriced their Fed rate hike expectations.

The Fed ultimately delivered another 25bps hike. But its dovish forward guidance piled pressure on the US dollar and sent USD exchange rates tumbling to a one-month low.

Turning to April the direction of the US dollar may be dependant on the outlook for the global financial system. Further uncertainty, or fears of a recession could see demand for the safe-haven ‘greenback’ strengthen.

Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency transfers.

From office to store

EL CORTE INGLES is transferring 2,324 office and administrative staff to its stores.

Last February, Spain’s leading department store chain announced that it would be taking this step to provide more support for its stores and shops “while addressing sales growth and improving customer care and service.”

A statement issued by El Corte Ingles explained that its agreement with the unions was based on maintaining employment and at the same time providing “voluntary severance” for the chain’s longest-serving employees.

Measures include an incentivised redundancy scheme for 630 employees who will be over 59 by June 30 this year, 40 more than was originally announced.

The agreement reached with the unions also improved the exit deal for employees who preferred to leave owing to the “substantial change” in their future roles.

That’s the spirit!

ON taking over as chief executive at Diageo, Debra Crew will be one of the few women at the head of an FTSE 100 company. Before her appointment as chief operating officer in October 2022, Crew was previously president of Diageo North America, overseeing the company’s largest market.

She joined Diageo in 2019 after heading tobacco firm Reynolds American, until it was acquired by British American Tobacco (BAT), having previously spent five years at PepsiCo.

Diageo, which makes Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Baileys and is the world’s biggest spirits manufacturer, employs 28,000 people globally and sells more than 200 brands in more than 180 markets.

MARCH: The euro was supported by the ECB interest rate expectations.

DOWNING STREET: Rishi Sunak, Grant Shapps and Ignacio Galan.

Photo credit: Iberdrola

CAN anyone please tell me what is actually occurring on this planet of ours? The whole shebang seems to be teetering on some kind of destabilising precipice, with our so­called leaders stumbling through it all in a complete befuddled daze.

Politicians groping through a tangled jungle of confusion and governmental garbage, getting all their priorities wrong and having no knowledge or way of even vaguely coming to grips with it all. Those, who are laughingly under the impression that they can make a difference, are all rushing around, trying to look important and ultimately reversing up their own backsides. I cannot help but think we are yet again all pawns in some devious plan, set in motion by those who truly run our lives.

Shadowy figures, who walk the secret corridors of those who hold the wealth of the world to their electronic bosoms. These individuals instigate, and even rely on worldwide destabilisation, confusion and chaos to put their own

Good luck all

conniving and self ­ gratifying schemes into operation. Dividing and prospering is their specialty.

Another Leapy rant I hear you say? Well I was accused of plenty of those, when I warned 30 or more years ago that if we didn’t come to terms and sort out the immigration problems, it would be too late and our enemies would be everywhere.

So, don’t dismiss the ol’ boy’s ramblings too flippantly. Look at the state we’re all in. Those who pronounced they were ‘offended’ with Christmas celebrations and preferred ‘Happy Holidays’ have managed to cover the whole of London’s West end with Ramadan lights and paraphernalia during the Christian celebration of Lent!

Most of the dissenters originated in the Middle East. They were welcomed into the country by a caring race of people, willing to share the peace and love instigated by their ancestors, who died in their millions to build a society of citizens that due to order and constructive hard work didn’t have to roam the land or exist in chaos.

I would also like to have been a fly on the wall of Putin’s palace when he met the Chinese PM. China isn’t quite ready to take over the world yet (50 years to go!) and its weapons are at the moment still electronic. The criminal elements of Russia are still fighting with the antiquated abilities of the Second World War, which the Chinese will only use when its enemies have been brought to their knees by electronics and nukes.

I just can’t shake off the feeling that the whole operation is some kind of smoke screen, devised by these hidden manipulators to create some form of new world order which will be beneficial to only them. Islamic leaders in Saudi Arabia don’t seem to be experiencing too much turmoil. They are actually building a whole modern city underground. When it all hits the fan, that’s where the Sheiks and all their oily mates will be.

Good luck all. Keep

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

BRITS BANNED? OUR VIEW

THE news that Amsterdam is trying to deter British stag groups from its famously tempting streets can only be good for other European destinations. After all, the campaign is hardly likely to stop stag groups travelling abroad, but it may just change where they go.

But is singling out particular groups ever really the answer to anything?

If what Amsterdam is hoping to achieve is fewer British men roaming the streets looking for cheap drink, legal drugs, and an availability of women for sale, perhaps they should begin by looking at what caused men to flock there in the first place; Holland’s own laws.

A famously open ­ minded culture though, it would probably go against the Dutch grain to delegalise some of the things the country is best ­ known for. Therefore, why not take the same liberal approach to the types of people who want to visit Amsterdam?

If what their government values highly is a live and let live society therefore perhaps it is unfair after all to single out one type of traveller.

Not so bad after all

Raise a glass

SCIENTIFIC researchers in Canada recently announced that women could safely indulge in a large glass of wine a day.

On average this would not “significantly” increase the risk of death, they said.

Another gender gap

AN A&E doctor who sees roughly 26,000 patients a year said that malecentric medicine put women at a disadvantage.

ULTRA­PROCESSED food bad for us, we all know that.

They are increasingly linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes and are regarded as a cancer risk, but a leading nutritionist recently defended five ultra ­ processed foods.

Talking to the UK media recently, Professor Gunter Kuhnle, an expert in nutrition at the University of Reading, described the ultra­processed food label as

“vague” and pointed out that it painted food that was basically “fine” as “unhealthy.”

Mass­produced supermarket bread, fish fingers, baked beans, breakfast cereal ­ when not sugar­laden ­ and baby formula, are all ultraprocessed as they usually have five or more ingredients and are present in most UK diets.

“There is no reason to assume they are all unhealthy,” Professor Kuhnle said.

For men, this could increase to two large glasses, they said, after reviewing 107 studies that covered more than 4.8 million people.

The investigators compared the odds of dying among non­drinkers to the odds for drinkers with low, medium, high or very high alcohol consumption.

Females who drank moderately and fell into the low alcohol consumption group, were found to have no significant increase in their risk of death compared to female non­drinkers. These women drank less than 25 grammes of alcohol a day, the equivalent of one large glass of wine, or three small measures of gin.

DAILY TIPPLE: Perhaps not so bad as previously thought.

Sun-dried

A STUDY by the Microbiology department at Aston University in Birmingham concentrated on pinpointing locations where bacteria lurk in family homes.

Findings included a warning about leaving wet laundry in the machine for even a short time. As germs can flourish if clothes remain wet for more than 30 minutes, it is best to do another cycle, the investigators recommended.

Alarmed readers belonging to the “eat a peck before you die” generation might find some consolation in the Spanish belief that washing which dries in the sun gets sterilised anyway.

“Female bodies are physiologically different from men’s on every level, from chromosomes and hormones to our bodily systems and structures,” Dr Alyson McGregor wrote in her recently ­ published book. “The medicine that works for men doesn’t always work for, or even apply to, women.”

The assumption that what makes sense in a male body must make sense in a female one was flawed, she maintained.

“Despite this, the current medical model is based on, tailored to, and evaluated according to male models and standards,” Dr McGregor declared.

Photo credit: Pexels/Vlada Karpovich

Photo credit: Pixabay/MabelAmber

SUPERMARKET BREAD: Not necessarily unhealthy.

Watch your step

ANYONE struggling to walk 10,000 steps each day will be heartened to know that 8,000 still bring significant health benefits.

Reaching the 8,000 target once or twice weekly cut the risk of all­cause and cardiovascular mortality by 15 per cent for 3,000 people participating in a 10­year US study.

Reaching 8,000 steps a day for between three and seven days a week slashed early death risk by 17 percent, doctors noted.

Photo credit: Pixabay/Dietcheese

DAILY STEPS: 8,000 acceptable for those unable to reach 10,000.

“Our findings suggest that 8,000 steps on as few as one to two days per week may

be a feasible option for individuals striving to achieve some health benefits.”

No bad hair days

EVERY day can be a good hair day even when yours isn’t at its best. Brush with a soft bristle brush before washing to break down product build­up, and choose sulphate­free products to avoid dry hair now that sunny days are back on the Costas.

If hair is greasy and there’s no time to shampoo, try refreshing it with a blast of cool air. When it’s beyond help, put long hair up in a topknot and choose a half­up, halfdown style for mid­length. For short hair, go for a side parting or tuck it behind your ears.

Whatever you do, the secret is to make it look intentional, hairstylists say.

Ageing gracefully

A SURVEY of 1,000 British women by a collagen brand found that women grew in confidence as they aged. Those between 60 to 70 were more confident about their appearance than any other age group, the study found.

Two ­ thirds in this group said that they felt confident about how they looked, compared with approximately half of those in their 20s.

Women between 70 and 79 were the second­most assured, with 57 per cent liking what they saw in the mirror.

Time to eat

NUTRITION scientist Dr Emily Leeming recently recommended the practice of eating only when hungry.

“One of the best ways to help our metabolism is by learning how to listen to our body’s hunger cues,” she said.

Too often people ate because they had a routine of eating at a certain time,” she explained.

“This this might suit some of us, but it’s a good idea to practise asking ourselves the question of whether we actually feel hungry before we eat.”

Screen time

SUNSCREEN should be applied daily, particularly now that the warmer weather has arrived and the sun is harsher.

Even on dull days, ultraviolet radiation can come through clouds and rain and although it has benefits that include creating Vitamin D, it also poses health risks for the skin.

Sunscreen is vital, but not all go on easily with other creams so it helps to leave a good 15 minutes between using moisturiser and the SPF.

1 in 5 women changed their skincare routine because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Top class LETTERS

HELLO

I was just sitting down to message you and say congratulations to the team on an outstanding edition of Euro Weekly

The Women in Business section is top notch. These women are deserving of recognition, brilliant.

Apart from that the paper appears to have more interesting features than normal. I feel it’s like a Sunday paper but without the colour supplement.

Really first class. Thank you.

Berni Albrighton, Almeria

Dear Editor

IT is over 100 years since the First World War which lasted from 1914 till 1918 and this trench warfare is now being re­enacted in Bakhmut.

To get an idea of this, just watch ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’.

Absolutely horrific for all men there fighting for their country.

Putin has a lot to answer for!

Brian Johnston, Benalmadena

Delivery service

First of all I would like to thank you on behalf of the community of Caravaning & Camping La Manga for starting to recommence the delivery service of the Euro Weekly News to our site. It’s been long awaited and understand the reasons why due to the impact of the past few years that rocked the nation and the world. Hopefully we can all try and get carefully get back to some kind of normality, but not forget the virus still lingers on.

Anyway, having seen that we have received the first batch of papers. May I request an additional 50 copies be delivered knowing the amount of residents that reside here. The numbers will go up especially during the winter months from September to late March when the snow birds come down for the winter sun. The papers are so informative and would be gratefully received. Hopefully you can supply more now and a further increase later after the summer.

Yours gratefully

Mr S L Tryner (Resident)

Joe’s letter

Whilst I sympathise with him, he admitted living illegally in Spain for 13 years, only returning to the UK when the 90/180 day rule caught up with him. For 10 years of that 13 he would have been on a UK state pension, so if registered here, eligible for S1 free medical cover for him and his wife. He therefore did not ‘need’ two lots of expensive private

health insurance for 10 of the 13 years. He also paid non­resident tax unnecessarily for 13 years.

He said he and his wife did not register in Spain because they wanted access to NHS in UK. That of course was not legal. On returning to the UK he was not able to get a hernia operation on the NHS, so went private. Had they been legal they could have continued living happily in Spain and had free medical treatment for his hernia, gall stones, enlarged prostate, wife’s Parkinson’s, etc.

Lastly; He adversely compared his failure to get an NHS hernia operation with Gary Glitter, who had a knee operation on NHS. However Glitter although convicted, was legally entitled to NHS cover in UK.

Sorry Joe but honesty often is the best policy !

John Carrington

Blue Badge

Like Valerie Neale, I know that getting a Blue Badge is not easy, and it is not issued by one’s GP.

Some years ago I investigated the procedure which involved an appointment with Social Services at the town hall where the procedure is started.

Next, you go to your GP so that they can certify that the applicant, my wife in this case, does indeed qualify for a Blue Badge.

When you have that, back you go to the town hall, and are told you might get your Badge within two years! Because I drive and my wife has a wheelchair, I gave up as we have not met any situation, so far, where a Blue Badge would have helped.

Regards.

Ken Cook, Gata de Gorgos

Breaking point!

Zimbabwe’s economy has been devastated by corruption and more than two decades of sanctions. The latest Al Jazeira four­part documentary has began to completely expose and reveal the illegal mafia type organisation that is ZANU­PF. It is clear that the Zimbabwean president position is unattainable after the exposure of the gold scandal. Gold Smuggler, Ewan Macmillan tells us that another Gold smuggler Simon Rudland has unfettered access to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Mr John Mangudya. It was also revealed that the gospel minister, Ubert Angel, obtains the highest level rank of dimpomacy in Zimbabwe. Angel is heard saying in his own words, “The president will rule until he dies.”

Corruption in Zimbabwe is clearly at an all time high. The world cannot watch such atrocities happen and do nothing.

Michael Tinarwo

Property of the week Ref.

Country house for sale in Cantoria

EXCLUSIVE for NEXT HOUSE ALMERIA! REDUCED FOR A QUICK SALE!!!

We are proud to present this immaculate 4/5 beds country house, full of charm, with private pool, self­contained annex and stunning views perfect for a B&B business opportunity, located for sale in the peaceful and picturesque hamlet of Arroyo Albanchez situated between the villages of Cantoria and Almanzora in the Almeria Province.

This charming property has lots of possibilities, it’s ideal as a holiday home due to its easily maintained garden and quiet and safe location, as a permanent family home for those who are looking for tranquil living, or even as an investment. The separate self­contained annex could be rented out to guests who would enjoy this beautiful valley, ideal for walking, hiking, cycling or just relaxing by the pool with a good book.

The property has a large outside area, which includes an 8x4m swimming pool, a variety of seating and relaxing terraces, parking space for several cars, and is all walled and gated. The property has fantastic views to the countryside surrounding the house.

Entry to the property is over a large ancient threshing circle surrounded by mature plants and shrubs with a storage shed on the left and the annex with private terrace on the right, a wooden door opens onto the pool area which is tiled and has

raised colourful flower beds. At one end is a secluded terrace with table and chairs overlooking the mountains and pool, on the other side is a sitting area ideal for sunbathing or where you can hide from the sun beneath the shade of the big old olive tree. From here is access to another terrace in front of the main entrance door to the house.

Entering the house there is a good­sized hall, to the left is a door that gives access to the lounge and a few steps go to a very rustic double bedroom with fitted wardrobes and wooden beams, stairs continue up to the next floor where you find a hall that gives access to a further two bedrooms. First is a good sized single, next is the family shower room and then the master bedroom with stunning views to the mountains.

Back to the entrance hallway, a door opens into the main lounge area with log burner, from here is access to the large country kitchen and to a covered fly free zone ideal for alfresco dining, this gives access to the annex and also the outside

215,000 euros

area where there is another bathroom with shower, that you can use for the pool .

Entering the annex there is a large lounge area, with a hall at the end that has the main entrance door with private patio area, and on the left is a double bedroom and to the right a bathroom with a corner bath with shower over, stairs leading to the upper floor with an American kitchen and door to a large private terrace with stunning 360º views of the surrounding area and mountain range that you cannot stop looking at. From the terrace, there are stairs are going back to the pool area.

This house has so much to offer, is full of charm and character, with different rustic features that will make you fall in love!

In an idyilic location, in one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of the Almanzora Valley, only six minutes from the village of Almanzora,and only 15 minutes drive from the commercial town of Albox, where you can find all amenities such as supermarkets, shops, pharmacies, restaurants, schools, health centre. The property is a 10 minute drive from the motorway where there are great connections to Murcia and Almeria airports which are both one hour away. The coast can be reached within 40 minutes.

Contact us now to book your visit to this amazing property! We have your Next House in the sunny Almeria!

COUNTRY HOUSE: This charming property has lots of possibilities.

Advertising Feature Grupo Platinum Estates

Property of the week

Fantastic single storey detached villa with great views

EXCELLENT opportunity to acquire this fantastic single storey detached villa with private pool, fantastic countryside views and more in the sought after residential area of La Algarrobina, located next to the prestigious Desert Springs golf course and just a few minutes’ drive from the town of Vera, where you will find everything you could possibly need in terms of supermarkets, bars, restaurants, shops, schools, pharmacies, banks, butchers, bakeries, medical centre and much more.

The coast is ap proximately 15 minutes away.

The entrance to the villa is through the front gate which leads to the gravelled area and garden. Entering the property through the large hallway to the left is the lounge and dining room and the

Ref. CAPD6LA

250,000 euros

double doors open to the pool area and there is a sheltered area for outdoor dining in winter and enjoying the good weather, the glass doors make the lounge remarkably bright.

To the right is a spacious kitchen with a large work surface and plenty of storage space, a pantry and a pellet stove to heat all the rooms as well as a fireplace in the living room. Next to the dining room and kitchen there is a toilet. Further down the corridor there is a guest bedroom and shared bathroom, the master bedroom with its own bathroom and another bedroom overlooking the pool. There is also a shaded parking area and a fantastic terrace with a pergola to enjoy the sun and the views.

The property is located close to Desert Springs Golf Course. It is distinguished by the quality and luxury of all its facilities. It is centrally located between the two main towns of Cuevas and Vera, and 15 minutes from the best beaches of the Almeria Coast (Garrucha, Vera Playa and Mojacar).

Only 45 minutes from Almeria and Murcia airports and two hours from Alicante airport.

The villa has its own pool with glass doors from the lounge area.

PETS

Children & pets

DO your kids and pets see eye to eye or does skin and hair fly? We know that having a pet can benefit our kids, they can help with learning, provide comfort and company to kids. They have even been known to boost a kid’s self ­ esteem and keep them healthy. As both children and pets both vie for their parent’s/owner’s attention how can we keep the peace between them? Also how can we help them to play nicely? Here are some top tips to help our furry friends get along with our childen.

1. Supervise the interaction between our children and pets. Our pets, even though they are part of the family, are still animals after all and we cannot eliminate the risk of aggression towards children. Especially as kids are known to pull a tail or an

Train your children how to interact with animals.

ear every now and again.

2. Assign an area where the pet can retreat to when he needs time alone without interaction with the little ones.

3. It helps to define the different areas in the household so for example a play area and a rest area. The use of security gates can help identify each area.

Pawsome teachers

IN an effort to help children manage their emotions and improve the relationship between animals and other children some schools in Spain have introduced dogs to the classroom.

They hope this initiative will help combat bullying at schools and stop violence against dogs. It is a programme of Assisted Interventions with Animals (IAA) that is specifically designed to work on empathy and emotions toward them.

With 24.4 per cent of primary and secondary Spanish students observing bullying in their school this is a very important topic. This programme offers emotional intelligence tools

Petsitters care for Dolly the dog

MANY of our pet owners find trusted pet­sitters through our network because the pets love the company. Dolly is a perfect example of that. She loves playing and having a pet­sitter in­house while her owners are away suits her and her owners perfectly. If you are planning a trip later this year, register now to find pet­sitters in time.

and develops social­emotional skills among minors and works on the benefits of mindfulness through this practice. Nuria

Máximo, the director of the URJC the Animal and Society Chair spoke about the positive feedback that has been received from this programme and because of this has decided to renew it again for a third year.

Some of this course is taught online but some modules are taught in person with experts in educational psychology and canine educators.

They use dogs that have been adopted and already trained and that have suffered and overcome situations of abuse or trauma.

4. As well as training your pets it is helpful to educate children how to play and interact with animals, respecting them and their space.

5. When bringing a pet into a household or a baby into a household with an existing pet it is helpful to warn the animal or the child beforehand.

Even if it’s just a short trip, you’ll know that sometimes you just have to leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying in their own home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Let us help. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and petcare. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when

needed

3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and you

choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.9 /

5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesit match.com

I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent. Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesit match.com.

Do you need a housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 50% discount using coupon code 20EWN – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

Dolly loves playing with her petsitter while her owners are away

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PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

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LOCAL ANGLICAN (C of E) church services at Mojacar Los Llanos Del Peral and Alhambra. Communion every Sunday in Mojacar at 11am. Communion at Los Llanos every Sunday except the last Sunday in the month when there will be Prayer and Praise all at 11am. The services that were being held in the South American church Albox have now returned to the chapel and Communion is held on the second Thursday of the month at 11am. Priest in charge Rev Canon Alan Bennet telephone number 680 243 436. For further information, please go to The Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida web page. Or contact Tony Noble 950 069 103. (10002)

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion.org.uk/ counties/spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee

Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at Bar Trinidad, Arboleas, for further details please email zurgenarblchairman @gmail.com - (253989)

helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)

WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

MOTOR INSURANCE

For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure.com

LANGUAGE CLASSES

FOR SALE

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 636 444 929 (303051)

ABBOTT ELECTRICS

From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (301356)

VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to

GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs €9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@ gmail.com fivebonehotel. com (301372)

PLUMBERS

KNOWLES PLUMBING

No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (302581)

Ifyoucanreadit,so canyourclients. Contactusandhave yourbusinessgrowat +34951386161

PROP FOR RENT WANTED

SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@suner gyalmeria.com (295779)

INSURANCE

Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid - refined capability

ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

THERE seems to be more and more SUVs on the road, whether this is entirely personal choice on behalf of the buyers or clever marketing is a very debateable point.

SUVs do get a bad press though and it is unfair as despite being billed as overly large gas guzzlers not all SUVs fall into that category. There are many smaller versions and even the larger ones now come with self­charging or plugin hybrid as part of the power deal.

Suzuki has a long and well ­ deserved reputation for making very capable off ­ roaders but have of recent years moved into SUVs with two wheel drive. Whether you’re looking at the Ignis, Vitara or S ­ Cross they all have the option of two or four­

wheel ­ drive. The S ­ Cross has just been relaunched in new mild or full hybrid form.

Priced from €29,630/ £26,099 even the lead model is bestowed with a particularly generous level of standard equipment. The list includes adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, LED lights, powered, heated and folding door mirrors along with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Two trim levels and the option of two or fourwheel ­ drive, manual or automatic gears and mild or full hybrid.

My test model was the top ­ line Ultra model in full hybrid form which means a 1.5­litre normally aspirated engine and automatic gears. The standard equipment list is even more generous than

the lead ­ in model, as it should be with

new Suzuki models and the S ­ Cross is no excep ­

come vocal. This is a characteristic of this kind of driving that’s soon second nature. Performance from the 1.5 ­ litre engine isn’t sparkling (go for the manual 1.4 ­ litre boosterjet that’s much quicker) but that said it feels anything but pedestrian.

Suzuki produce some very underrated cars in my view and the S­Cross, despite at this price being up against stiff competition, is certainly one of them.

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Suzuki S-Cross Ultra Hybrid AWD

• Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, normally aspirated petrol

€37,067/£32,649 price tag, and includes a super, full length sliding panoramic glass roof.

There is a distinctly more upmarket feel, the Vitara is well built but uses a lot of not very tactile plastics on the interior, to

out and everything from the auto gear shift lever to the touchscreen works crisply.

On the road it’s smooth, refined and quiet, unless you floor the accelerator when the automated manual gearbox does be ­

• Gears: 6-Speed automated manual.

• Price: €37,067/£32,649

• Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 13.5 seconds/Maximum Speed 175 kmh (108 mph).

• Economy: 5.8l/100km (48.7 mpg) Combined driving.

• Emissions: 132 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

Abandoned cars!

How do we now deal with abandoned cars?

A PROBLEM that is faced by many of us, according to the DGT (Direccion General de Trafico), every year, approximately 50,000 vehicles are

abandoned by their owners on roads in Spain and around 6,000 in workshops, warehouses and public car parks.

As well as around another

20,000 ‘forgotten’ vehicles in areas such as shopping centres, neighbourhood communities and the like.

Until recently, those affected, for example, in a private urbanisation where a damaged car is left abandoned for months, had to go to court so the car could be removed.

Now the DGT has published an instruction to manage the destruction and decontamination of abandoned vehicles on public roads. Owners are required to prove the abandonment with photographs and with statements before a notary or with certifications from the property administrator.

Prior to the order to transfer and scrap the abandoned vehicle, the Administration “must require the owner of the vehicle to warn him that, if he does not remove it from where it is parked within a month, it will proceed to the transfer to an authorised vehicle treatment centre,” explained a spokesperson for the DGT.

SUZUKI S-CROSS: On the road it’s smooth, refined and quiet.

Electric vehicles - the future?

WITH the new Fisker Ocean achieving an official longest range on a single charge, is there a future for electric cars in Spain?

The Fisker Ocean has achieved the highest range of any electric SUV in an official WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) test, having achieved 440 miles with its range­topping Extreme specification. That would take you from London to Glasgow on a single charge.

With this emerging innovative technology and the lack of available charges in Spain could this latest news help Spanish residents decide on whether to finally take the plunge and a purchase an electric car?

The Fisker Ocean is being built in Austria and will go on sale at the end of April for around €40,000. With top models also having solar panels on the roof to provide more power in sunny conditions, this could be the ideal car model for Spain.

Diesel drivers

UK diesel drivers ­ including almost everyone who runs a van for a small business ­ are continuing to suffer from inflated prices at fuel pumps up and down the country and are seeing no benefit from plummeting lower wholesale costs, despite the Chancellor continuing the fuel duty freeze in the latest Budget, the RAC is warning.

Despite both crude oil and wholesale diesel costs (the prices retailers pay for the fuel) reaching their lowest points in 15 months, major retailers are still refusing to

First acceleration

GOOD news for used car sellers as March marked the first acceleration in UK used car price growth in 10 months.

The current average value of a used car is up 2.3 per cent year ­ onyear and 0.7 per cent month ­ on ­ month.

cut pump prices in any meaningful way.

Looking at the last four weeks alone, wholesale prices have come down another 10p yet this has yielded just a 3p cut at the pumps (168.85p to 165.89p on March 22).

What’s more, the gap between the wholesale cost of petrol and diesel has been narrowing for many weeks and is currently just over 1.5p. Despite this, the difference drivers pay at the pumps remains stubbornly high at around 19p a litre.

According to the latest data from the Auto Trader Retail Price Index, the current average retail price of a used car in March is £17,720, which is up 2.3 per cent on a year ­ on ­ year (YoY) and like ­ for ­ like basis.

Increasing from the 1.3 per cent YoY increase recorded in February, it marks the first acceleration in the rate of YoY price growth in 10 months, having gradually slowed from the all ­ time high of 32.2 per cent YoY in April 2022.

At a month ­ on ­ month (MoM) level, March to

date is up 0.7 per cent on February’s average prices, marking the third consecutive MoM increase after the typical seasonal slowdown over the festive period.

It’s well ahead of the 0.1 per cent MoM growth recorded in both March 2022 and 2021, as well as the pre ­ pandemic average contraction of ­ 0.4 per cent MoM recorded in March between 2011 and 2019.

USED CARS: Prices are at last increasing.

PUMP PRICES: Are not being cut in a meaningful way.

6 months to build a Rolls Royce, 13 hours to build a Toyota.

We’re going to fight, said coach A massive new entertainment brand

THE exciting news was revealed on Monday, April 3, that the WWE is to merge with the UFC to form one massive entertainment brand in a deal worth an estimated $21 billion (€19.262 billion). Endeavor Group Holdings which owns the UFC mixed martial arts franchise will have a 51 per cent controlling stake with existing shareholders in the WWE taking the other 49 per cent.

Ari Emanuel, the Endeavor CEO will control the as­yetunnamed organisation. Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White will remain in charge of his enterprise. Vince McMahon, the legendary executive chairman of the WWE will be in charge of the wrestling side.

“This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed,” announced Emanuel.

The CEO continued: “For decades, Vince and his team have demonstrated an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together.”

Both entities have a huge global fanbase and social media reach across a wide audience of all age groups. At the end of the final quarter of 2022, the WWE had amassed in excess of 16 billion video views on social media platforms. These included more than 20 million TokTok followers and approaching 94 million YouTube subscribers.

Ronda Rousey, the former female UFC fighting star has an incredible following of 36.1 million on her social networks. Five female wrestlers appear on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram’s top 15 most­followed female athletes.

SERGIO PELLICER, the manager of Malaga CF, held a press conference on Friday March 31 at the club’s La Rosaleda Stadium. “We have the challenge of achieving two consecutive victories,” said the Blue and White coach.

Speaking about the state of his squad and the approaching Easter period, he explained: “The team has recovered almost everyone, except for Bustinza, who trained partially today, but won’t be there,” he commented initially.

“After the match the other day, that magical moment of the second goal, you have to visualise reality. The situation is still difficult, but the fans be­

lieve, the team believes, and we are going to fight. This week I’ve seen some of the best training sessions since I got here,” he stressed.

He pointed out that he was determined to “fight and honour our values with that effort and commitment. We have the challenge of achieving two consecutive victories and getting closer to those teams.”

The coach has ‘many options’ in terms of players and tactics. “The other day we started with a line of three, the team felt comfortable, then we changed, and they also felt comfortable. We see that desire, despite the difficulty. Everyone is there, and we’ll

make the best decisions, yet the important thing is that they’re making it difficult for me. If the team improves, we all improve. And that is contagious,” he highlighted.

In regard to their next rival,

Pellicer said “Andorra had a stage in which they endured five consecutive defeats, but are now back to the team from the start of the season. They are the most surprising team in the competition.”

Grealish shines

HEY JUDE reverberates around the Etihad Stadium, the Manchester City players form a pre­match huddle. The importance of this match is clear to see. It was also a must­win for Liverpool to finish in the top four.

The young Argentinian Julian Alvarez starts as Erling Haaland watches on injured. Liverpool left their ‘Captain Chaos’ on the bench and opted for Diogo Jota in the starting lineup. In the first half, both teams played hightempo high­intensity football leaving even the spectators worn out at halftime.

Salah scored first for Liverpool with an assist from Jota in the 17th minute and Alvarez got the equaliser 10 minutes

later with an assist from Jack Grealish. At half­time the match is level but it was to be Manchester City’s day as they scored right after half­time a Kevin De Bruyne goal in the 46th minute catching Liverpool asleep. Liverpool suffering from a lack of self­confidence these days did not respond well to the goal and went on to concede another goal in the 53rd minute leaving it 3­1. From that point, Liverpool never looked like getting back into the match even when Jurgen Klopp made four changes. It was Jack Grealish’s day, he was everywhere, attacking, defending, and generally making a nuisance of himself it was possibly his best performance for the sky blues.

Malaga CF coach, Sergio Pellicer.

Credit: Twitter@MalagaCF_en